Card stack reader, card thereof, card case, method for manufacturing card, game machine using the same, computer-readable storage medium on which game program is recorded

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a card stack reader, a card thereof, a card case, a method for manufacturing the card, a game machine using the same, and a computer-readable storage medium on which a game program is recorded. The card stack reader comprises an imaging unit which reads an image from a peripheral side portion of a stack of cards, each card having a read code along a peripheral side edge thereof, the read code identifying the card, and a code recognizing unit which recognizes the read code of each card from the image read by the imaging unit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a card stack reader, a card thereof, acard case, a method for manufacturing a card, a game machine using thesame, and a computer-readable storage medium on which a game program isrecorded. The present invention relates to a card stack reader whichreads an image from a stack of cards, a card used in the card stackreader, a card case containing the stack of cards, a method formanufacturing the card, a game machine using the same, and acomputer-readable storage medium on which a game program is recorded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For example, a card game machine that can play a card game, such aspoker, blackjack or a fortune telling game, is known. In the card gamemachine, a displayed image of plural cards appears on the CRT (cathoderay tube) monitor. When the card game starts, some of the cards on theCRT monitor are changed or inverted (or turned upside down to show thebackside graphic patterns of the cards) in response to operations of aplayer.

However, in the conventional card game machine, the card image merelyappears on the CRT monitor, which is inadequate for the player to reallyenjoy the card game or duplicate “live” feelings of the card game. Itdoes not sufficiently bring the realism of the card game into theplayer.

Moreover, in the conventional card game machine, the changing or turningof the cards is arbitrarily controlled by the computer. The playerscannot check the computer-controlled card game for accuracy, and areliable to doubt the fairness of the card game.

To eliminate the problems, it is desirable to provide a card game whichallows the player to actually touch the cards during the game. For thispurpose, it is necessary to optically read an image from the cards andinput the image to the computer.

In order to perform the reading of a stack of normal cards, it isnecessary to perform the following steps, which includes: the step oftransporting, one by one, the normal card taken out of the stack ofnormal cards to a reading unit; the step of reading, one by one, eachtransported card at the reading unit; the step of stacking the normalcards after the reading onto a card stacking portion. The above methodof reading the stack of normal cards requires a mechanism fortransporting the normal card to the reading unit. When such a mechanismis provided in a card stack reader system, the resulting system becomeslarge in size, and the normal cards may be damaged or stained.Furthermore, the period of reading all the normal cards becomesrelatively long.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved card stackreader in which the above-described problems are eliminated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a card stackreader that reads an image directly from a stack of cards with a shortperiod of reading and does not require a transporting mechanism whichcauses the cards to be damaged or stained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a card that isused by a card stack reader which reads an image directly from a stackof cards with a short period of reading and does not require atransporting mechanism which causes the cards to be damaged or stained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a card case thatcontains a stack of cards for use with a card stack reader which readsan image directly from the stack of cards with a short period of readingand does not require a transporting mechanism which causes the cards tobe damaged or stained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method formanufacturing a card for use with a card stack reader which reads animage directly from a stack of cards with a short period of reading anddoes not require a transporting mechanism which causes the cards to bedamaged or stained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game machinethat includes a card stack reader which reads an image directly from astack of cards with a short period of reading and does not require atransporting mechanism which causes the cards to be damaged or stained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide acomputer-readable storage medium for use with a card stack reader whichreads an image directly from a stack of cards with a short period ofreading and does not require a transporting mechanism which causes thecards to be damaged or stained.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, one preferredembodiment of the invention provides a card stack reader comprising: animaging unit which reads an image from a peripheral side portion of astack of cards, each card having a read code along a peripheral sideedge thereof, the read code identifying the card; and a code recognizingunit which recognizes the read code of each card from the image read bythe imaging unit. According to the preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is possible to read the code on the card stack as it is.The cards are free from damages and stain, and the reading time isshort.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, one preferredembodiment of the invention provides a card that is used by a card stackreader, the read code is recorded to the card with a fluorescentmaterial that is colorless under a visible light. According to thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the read code is recorded with afluorescent material that is colorless under a visible light, and it ispossible to prevent the illegal duplication of the read code.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, one preferredembodiment of the present invention provides a card case that contains astack of cards for use with a card stack reader and includes a groovedportion so as to inhibit the read code of each card in the stack fromtouching the card case. According to the preferred embodiment of theinvention, the read code of each card in the stack from does not touchthe card case, and the read code is free from damages or stain.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, one preferredembodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturinga card for use with a card stack reader, the method comprising the stepsof: printing the read code to a portion of the card adjacent to aperipheral side edge of the card; and cutting the card along a straightline passing through the code-printed portion to form the peripheralside edge of the card where the read code is printed. According to thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it is possible to produce thecard having the read code along the peripheral side edge thereof.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, one preferredembodiment of the present invention provides a game machine that uses acard stack reader wherein a character or a function corresponding to aread code of a card read by the card stack reader is allocated to a cardgame. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, it ispossible to increase the variety of the card game.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, one preferredembodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storagemedium on which a game program is recorded, the game program causing acomputer to execute a card game, the computer-readable storage mediumcomprising: an advertisement indication detecting unit which detectswhether the read code at the peripheral side edge of each card read bythe card stack reader of claim 1 includes an advertisement indication;and an advertisement displaying unit which displays an advertisement ina game screen when the presence of the advertisement indication isdetected. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, it ispossible to increase the advertisement effects of the card game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stack of cards read by the card stackreader of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the format of a first embodiment of aread code 20.

FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining insertion of a stack of cards intothe card stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the insertion of the stack of cardsinto the card stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the card stackreader of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a code recognizing processperformed by an image recognition device 40 in the card stack reader ofthe present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the stack of cardsread by the card stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a first embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the card stack readerof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the card stack readerof the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the card 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a card holder.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the card stack reader ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13A is a front view of a second embodiment of the card holder inthe card stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the second embodiment of the card holder inthe card stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 13C is a top view of the second embodiment of the card holder inthe card stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a front view of a first embodiment of a card case in thecard stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 14B is a side view of the first embodiment of the card case in thecard stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the card case inthe card stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 16A is a front cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of thecard case in the card stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 16B is a front cross-sectional view of a main body 110 of the thirdembodiment of the card case in the card stack reader of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16C is a top view of the third embodiment of the card case in thecard stack reader of the present invention.

FIG. 17A is a top view of the card for explaining a second embodiment ofthe card manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the card for explaining the secondembodiment of the card manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 17C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the card for explainingthe second embodiment of the card manufacturing method of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18A is a top view of the card before printing for explaining athird embodiment of the card manufacturing method of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18B is a top view of the card after the printing for explaining thethird embodiment of the card manufacturing method of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18C is a side view of the card after the printing for explainingthe third embodiment of the card manufacturing method of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19A is a side view of the card for explaining a fourth embodimentof the card manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional side view of the card for explaining thefourth embodiment of the card manufacturing method of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a variation of the fourth embodimentof the card manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a sixth embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the card for explaining a variation ofthe sixth embodiment of the card manufacturing method of the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining a code recognition processperformed by the card stack reader when reading a read code 20 printedto the card with a light storage ink.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a network system to which the card stackreader of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a pitch of the read code 20.

FIG. 27A is a diagram for explaining a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication.

FIG. 27B is a diagram for explaining a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication.

FIG. 27C is a diagram for explaining a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication.

FIG. 27D is a diagram for explaining a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication.

FIG. 28A is a diagram for explaining a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication.

FIG. 28B is a diagram for explaining a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication.

FIG. 28C is a diagram for explaining a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining an advertisement displayingprocess performed by a CPU 171 of a game machine 170.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the game machine of theinvention including a rewritable storage medium 200.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the card for explaining a seventhembodiment of the card manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 33A is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the card case of theinvention when the printing is performed with a roller.

FIG. 33B is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the cardcase of the invention when the printing is performed with the roller.

FIG. 33C is a side view of the fourth embodiment of the card case of theinvention when the printing is performed with the roller.

FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining a seventh embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining operation of a rotary stage 236 inthe seventh embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining a variation of the seventhembodiment of the card manufacturing method of the invention.

FIG. 37 is a diagram of a fourth embodiment of the card stack reader ofthe invention.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining a first embodiment of an imagereading process performed by an image recognition device 256.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart for explaining a second embodiment of the imagereading process performed by the image recognition device 256.

FIG. 40 is a diagram for explaining the format of a second embodiment ofthe read code 20.

FIG. 41 is a diagram for explaining a pattern of the read code 20, theintensities and the absolute values of the differential.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart for explaining a code recognition processperformed by the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of 3 dots selected by anoise-cut filter in the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of 3 dots renewed by thenoise-cut filter in the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 45 is a diagram for explaining operation of a spherical aberrationcorrecting filter in the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 46 is a diagram for explaining operation of a spherical aberrationcorrecting filter in the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 47 is a diagram for explaining operation of a spherical aberrationcorrecting filter in the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 48 is a diagram for explaining operation of an inclinationcorrecting filter in the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 49 is a diagram for explaining operation of an inclinationcorrecting filter in the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart for explaining an inclination correcting processperformed by the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart for explaining a card separation processperformed by the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart for explaining the card separation processperformed by the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 53 is a diagram for explaining the card separation processperformed by the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart for explaining an x-coordinate computationprocess performed by the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 55 is a diagram for explaining the x-coordinate computation processperformed by the card stack reader of the invention.

FIG. 56 is a diagram for explaining a determination process performed bythe card stack reader of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stack of cards read by the card stackreader of the present invention. Each card 12, which is one in the stack10 of cards, has a read code 20 along each of peripheral side edges 13and 14 of the card 12, which are short sides of the rectangle of thecard. The read code 20 is provided to identify the card 12, and the readcode 20 is recorded to the card by printing or the like. Alternatively,the read code 20 may be provided at each of peripheral side edges whichare long sides of the rectangle of the card, instead of the short sidesthereof.

FIG. 2 shows the format of a first embodiment of a read code 20. Asshown in FIGS. 2 (A) and (B), the read code 20 includes guide bits G1 toG6 (which are indicated by the shaded lines) provided at given positionson the peripheral side edge of the card, data bits D1 to D10 eachprovided adjacent to one of the guide bits G1 to G6, and a parity bit P1provided between two of the guide bits G1 to G6. In the presentembodiment, the distances of the guide bits G1 to G6 from each of theextreme ends of the peripheral side edge of the card are fixed. Amongthe data bits D1 to D10 in the read code 20, when a portion of a certaindata bit is printed with ink, the corresponding data bit represents thevalue one, and when a portion of a certain data bit is not printed withink, the corresponding data bit represents the value zero.

In the present embodiment, a total value that is indicated by the set ofthe data bits D1 to D10 of the read code 20 of each card 12 correspondto a graphic pattern on the front surface of the card, such as the aceof spades or the ace of hearts. In the stack 10 of cards, a plurality ofcards that have an identical total value indicated by the set of thedata bits D1 to D10 of the corresponding read code may be included.

In the example of the read code indicated by FIG. 2 (A), all the databits D1 to D10 represent the value zero. In the example of the read codeindicated by FIG. 2 (B), the data bits D2, D4, D5 and D8 represent thevalue one and the data bits D1, D3, D6, D7, D9 and D10 represent thevalue zero. In the present embodiment, the read code is printed to eachcard with a fluorescent material (e.g., ink used to print the guide bitsand the value-one data bits to the card) that generates a light ray,having a wavelength longer than a wavelength of a blue light, byirradiation of an excited UV (ultraviolet) light, and is colorless undera visible light. Hence, the reading of the code from the card can beeasily performed by increasing the intensity of the irradiation light.On the other hand, the read code on the card is not perceptible to theuser, and the illegal reproduction of the read code is prevented. As theread code on each card includes the guide bits provided at the givenpositions, the position of the read code in an image signal read fromthe card can be easily determined by using the guide bits for each card.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show insertion of the stack 10 of cards into thecard stack reader 30 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, thecard stack 10 is inserted from a card stack insertion inlet 32 into thecard stack reader 30. The sides 10A and 10B of the stack 10 are snuglyfitted to the edges of the insertion inlet 32 and are restricted by theinsertion inlet 32 before the insertion. As shown in FIG. 3B, the sides10A and 10B of the card stack 10 are arranged in an aligned condition,and the read code 20 is read from each card by the card stack reader 30.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the card stackreader of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, in the card stackreader 30 of the present embodiment, the card stack 10 is inserted andheld in the insertion inlet 32. A housing 34 of the card stack reader 30contains a UV lamp 36 provided therein. The UV lamp 36 is turned ON bythe insertion of the card stack 10, and it irradiates the peripheralside portion of the card stack 10, where the read codes 20 are recordedto the respective cards, with an excited UV light. By the irradiationwith the excited UV light, reflection light rays are generated from theguide bits and the value-one data bits or the parity bit of each card 12in the stack 10.

In the card stack reader 30 of FIG. 4, an image sensor 38 is provided soas to face the peripheral side edges of the cards 12 in the card stack10. An optical filter 37 is provided at a front portion of the imagesensor 38. The optical filter 37 is in a laminated structure including afirst filter and a second filter. The first filter cuts off a UV light,and the second filter cuts off a blue light. The reflection light inwhich the UV light and the blue light are removed by the optical filter37 is incident to the image sensor 38. The image sensor 38 generates animage signal from the received light, and this image signal is suppliedfrom the image sensor 38 to an image recognition device 40.

The image sensor 38 is sensitive to an incident UV light. The firstfilter of the optical filter 37 is provided to prevent the attenuationof an intensity difference detected from the reflection light when theUV light is incident to the image sensor 38. The card 12 is usually madeof paper. If the paper as the source material of the card 12 contains afluorescent substance, a blue light may be generated from the card 12when it is irradiated with a UV light. The second filter of the opticalfilter 37 is provided to prevent the attenuation of an intensitydifference detected from the reflection light when the blue light isincident to the image sensor 38. The fluorescent material of the readcode 20 generates, upon the irradiation, a light ray having a wavelengthlonger than the wavelength of the blue light. The reflection light fromthe read code 20 passes through the optical filter 37 and is incident tothe image sensor 38.

Suppose that the x direction of an image signal that is generates by theimage sensor 38 corresponds to the direction of the short side of eachcard 12, and the y direction of the image signal corresponds to the cardstacking direction of the stack 10.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a code recognizing processperformed by the image recognition device 40 in the card stack reader ofthe present embodiment.

In the flowchart of FIG. 5, step S10 takes a pattern of the read codefor each card from the image signal, received from the image sensor 38,by checking the sequence of the image signal in the y direction. Thethickness of each card 12 is known. Step S12 determines the position ofeach bit of the pattern of the read code by comparing the pattern of theread code with a template corresponding to the guide bits G1 to G6. StepS14 detects whether each of the data bits D1 to D10 and the parity bitP1 (adjacent to the guide bits G1 to G6) in the pattern of the read codeindicates the value one or the value zero.

After the step S14 is performed, step S16 performs an error detectionbased on the data bits D1 to D10 and the parity bit P1 in the pattern ofthe read code. Step S18 stores the results of the image reading,together with the results of the error detection, into a memory of theimage recognition device 40. Alternatively, when an error is detected,the control may be transferred to the above step S10. After the step S16is performed, step S20 determines whether the image reading of all thecards in the stack is done. After the image reading of all the cards inthe stack is complete, the code recognizing process ends.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the stack 10 ofcards read by the card stack reader of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 6, each card 12, which is one in the stack 10 of cards, has aread code 50 along a peripheral side edge 15 of the card 12, which is along side of the rectangle of the card. The read code 50 is recorded toeach card 12 in order to identify the card 12. The read code 50 includesdata bits D1 to D5. The distances of the data bits D1 to D5 from each ofthe extreme ends of the peripheral side edge of the card are fixed. Inthe present embodiment, the data bits are arrayed apart from each otherby a predetermined distance along the peripheral side edge. However, thepresent invention is not limited to this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the value-zero data bits of the read code (D1to D5) are printed to the card with an ink that generates a red lightray by irradiation of an excited UV light, and is colorless under avisible light. The value-one data bits of the read code (D1 to D5) areprinted to the card with another ink that generates a green light ray byirradiation of an excited UV light, and is colorless under a visiblelight. In FIG. 6, the value-zero data bits of the read code 50 areindicated by the vertical stripe lines, and the value-one data bits ofthe read code 50 are indicated by the shaded lines. The read code 50 oneach card 12 is not perceptible to the user, and the method of the cardcode recognition is not easily found by the user.

In the card stack 10, the read code 50 is provided at the peripheralside edge of each card 12 on the back surface of the card. Therespective read codes 50 of the cards 12 are arrayed apart from eachother in the card stacking direction, and the image reading of therespective codes from the cards 12 in the stack 10 can be accurately andeasily performed.

FIG. 7 shows a first embodiment of the card manufacturing method of thepresent invention. In a case in which the thickness of the card 12 issmall, the following card manufacturing method is used. After the readcode 50, including the data bits D1 to D5, is printed to a portionadjacent to the peripheral side edge of the card 12 on the back surfacethereof, the card 12 is cut along a straight line 55 passing through thecoded-printed portion to form the peripheral side edge of the card 12where the read code 50 is printed. By this manufacturing method, it ispossible to produce the card 12 of FIG. 6 in which the read code 50 isprovided at the peripheral side edge 15 of the card on the back surfacethereof.

The source material of the read code 20 is not limited to thefluorescent material. Alternatively, the read code 20 may be printed tothe card using normal ink. Moreover, the read code 20 may be printed tothe card with an ink that generates an infrared light ray or a visiblelight ray by irradiation of an excited UV light, and is colorless undera visible light. By such embodiment, the read code 20 on each card 12 isnot perceptible to the user, the method of the card code recognition isnot easily found by the user, and the illegal reproduction of the readcode 20 or the card 12 is prevented.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the card stack reader of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 8, in the card stack reader of the presentembodiment, the card stack 10 is provided with the four sides of thecards being aligned. An image sensor 60 is provided to straightlyconfront the peripheral side portion 14 of the card stack 10 where theread code is printed to each card 12. A dichroic mirror 62 is providedbetween the card stack 10 and the image sensor 60, such that the surfaceof the dichroic mirror 62 is inclined at 45 degrees to the optical axisof the image sensor 60. A UV lamp 64 is provided so that the opticalpath of a UV light emitted by the UV lamp 64 crosses the optical axis ofthe image sensor 60 at right angles. A reflector plate 66 is attached tothe UV lamp 64 in order to direct the UV light of the UV lamp 64 towardthe dichroic mirror 62. The reflector plate 66 serves to prevent thescattering of the UV light in different directions than the directiontoward the dichroic mirror 62.

In the present embodiment, the read code 20 is printed to each card 12with an ink that generates an infrared or visible light ray byirradiation of an excited UV light, and is colorless under a visiblelight. The dichroic mirror 62 serves to reflect a UV light and transmitan infrared or visible light ray.

The UV light emitted by the UV lamp 60 is reflected at the dichroicmirror 62, and this reflected UV light is incident to the peripheralside portion 14 of the card stack 10 at right angles. The infrared orvisible light ray is generated from the read code 20 of each card by theirradiation of the UV light, and this infrared or visible light raypasses through the dichroic mirror 62 and is incident to the imagesensor 60. The image sensor 60 generates an image signal from thereceived light.

In the present embodiment, by using the dichroic mirror 62, theperipheral side portion 14 of the card stack 10 can be irradiated withthe UV light that is incident to the peripheral side portion 14 at rightangles, and the infrared or visible light ray, generated from the readcode 12 of each card, can be incident to the image sensor 60. The imagereading of the codes of the cards can be accurately performed. Even whenthe four sides of the card stack 10 are arranged with surfaceirregularities, the influences due to the surface irregularities can beeliminated. Furthermore, the dichroic mirror 62 serves to prevent theattenuation of an intensity difference detected from the reflectionlight when the undesired UV light enters the image sensor 60.

Alternatively, a line sensor that scans the peripheral side edge 14 ofthe card stack 10 may be used instead of the image sensor 60 in the cardstack reader of the present embodiment. Furthermore, a dichroic mirrorthat serves to transmit a UV light ray and reflect an infrared orvisible light ray may be used instead. According to such embodiment, theposition of the image sensor 60 and the position of the UV lamp 64 inthe card stack reader can be exchanged.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the card stack reader of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 9, in the card stack reader of the presentembodiment, the card stack 10 is held with the two sides of the cardsbeing aligned and the remaining two sides being inclined. As shown inFIG. 10, the card 12 has a read code 20 provided on a front surface ofthe car along the peripheral side edge 14 thereof. The read code 20 issimilar to the embodiment of FIG. 7. After the read code 20 is printedto a portion adjacent to the peripheral side edge of the card 12 on thefront surface thereof, the card 12 is cut along a straight line passingthrough the coded-printed portion to form the peripheral side edge ofthe card 12 where the read code 20 is printed.

In the card stack reader of the present embodiment, an image sensor 60is provided to straightly confront the inclined side surface of the cardstack 10 that are formed by the peripheral side edges of the cards 12where the read code 20 is printed to each card. A UV light emitted by aUV lamp (not shown) is incident to the card stack 10 from the upperdirection. An infrared or visible light ray is generated from the readcode 20 of each card by the irradiation of the UV light, and thisinfrared or visible light ray is incident to the image sensor 60. Theimage sensor 60 generates an image signal from the received light.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, in order to hold the card stack 10with the two sides thereof aligned and the remaining two sides thereofinclined, the card stack reader requires a card holder. FIG. 11 shows afirst embodiment of the card holder. In FIG. 11, (A) indicates a frontview of the card holder, and (B) indicates a side view of the cardholder. The card holder of the present embodiment generally includes abase portion 69 and side portions 70 and 71. The side portions 70 and 71are inclined relative to the base portion 69. The card holder of thisembodiment holds the card stack 10 with the two sides being aligned andthe remaining two sides inclined. As shown in FIG. 11 (A), the cardstack 10 is brought into contact with the card holder from the leftposition. As shown in FIG. 11 (B), the read code 20 of each card isexposed in the position between the side portions 70 and 71 of the cardholder, and it is imaged by the image sensor 60 of the card stack readerof the present embodiment.

In a case in which the thickness of the card 12 is small and the readcode 20 is printed to the peripheral side edge of the card on the frontsurface, the image reading of the codes 20 from the card stack 10 can beperformed with good efficiency.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the card stack reader ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, in the card stack reader ofthe present embodiment, power of a power supply is supplied from aterminal 74 to each of a control circuit 75, a switch 76 and a switch77. The switch 76 is connected to an input of a charging circuit 78, andan output of the charging circuit 78 is connected to each of a switch 80and a secondary battery (or a capacitor) 79. The switch 77 is connectedto each of an input of an image sensor 82 and an input of a currentlimiting circuit 83. An output of the current limiting circuit 83 isconnected to a lamp 84 which is, for example, a UV lamp. The switch 80is connected to the lamp 84.

In the present embodiment, a power (5 V/800 mA at the maximum) from apower supply of a host system (either a game machine or a personalcomputer) is supplied to the card stack reader via a USB interface.Suppose that the consumption current of the lamp 84 is 600 mA and theconsumption current of the image sensor 82 is 500 mA. In such a case,the consumption current of the entire card stack reader amounts to 1.1A, and the card stack reader does not operate.

To eliminate the problem, when the image reading is not performed, thecontrol circuit 75 sets the switch 76 in ON state and sets the switches77 and 80 in OFF state. The power is supplied to the charging circuit78, and the charging circuit 78 performs the charging of the secondarybattery 79.

When the image reading is performed, a reading command from the hostsystem is delivered to the control circuit 75. The control circuit 75sets the switch 76 in OFF state and sets the switches 77 and 80 in ONstate. The 500 mA current is supplied from the terminal 74 to the imagesensor 82, and the remaining 500 mA current from the terminal 74 issupplied to the lamp 84 through the current limiting circuit 83.Further, the 300 mA current is supplied from the secondary battery 79 tothe lamp 84. The card stack reader is operational in this condition, andcan perform the image reading of the read code 20.

FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C show a second embodiment of the cardholder in the card stack reader of the invention. FIG. 13A is a frontview of the card holder of the present embodiment, FIG. 13B is a sideview of the card holder of the present embodiment, and FIG. 13C is a topview of the card holder of the present embodiment. As shown, the cardholder of the present embodiment generally includes a base portion 90,side portions 91 and 92, a front plate 93, a top plate 94, and apressure member 95.

The side portions 91 and 92 are provided on the base portion 90, and theside portions 91 and 92 confront each other to form a width between themthat is slightly larger than the width of the card 12. The side portions91 and 92 serve to arrange the two sides of the card stack 10 in analigned condition. The front plate 93 is an inverted U-shaped memberincluding a cut-out portion 93A. The front plate 93 is provided on thebase portion 90. The side ends of the front plate 93 are bonded to theside portions 91 and 92. The width of the cut-out portion 93A is set tobe smaller than the width of the card 12. The card stack 10 is insertedfrom the right side of FIG. 13A to the card holder, and brought intocontact with the back surface of the front plate 93. The read code 20 ofeach card of the card stack 10 is exposed in the cut-out portion 93A ofthe front plate 93, and the read code 20 is read by the image sensor 60.

The top plate 94 is placed onto the side portions 91 and 92 and fixedthereto. As shown in FIG. 13C, the pressure member 95 is snugly insertedinto the place surrounded by the side portions 91 and 92 and the frontplate 93 and the top plate 94. The pressure member 95 is movable invertical directions as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 13B. After thecard stack 10 is inserted to the card holder, the pressure member 95exerts pressure on the upper surface of the card stack 10 where the readcode 20 is provided. In such a condition, the left ends of the baseportion 90 and the pressure member 95 are slightly shifted in the rightdirection from the left end of the card stack 10 such that the shadowsof the base portion 90 and the pressure member 95 do not affect theimage reading of the read codes of the cards.

According to the above-described embodiment, even when each card of thecard stack 10 has a curling, the upper surface of the card stack 10 ispressed by the pressure member 95, and the accuracy of the image readingby the card stack reader is increased.

FIG. 14A is a front view of a first embodiment of a card case in thecard stack reader of the present invention. FIG. 14B is a side view ofthe first embodiment of the card case. As shown, the card case of thepresent embodiment generally includes a main body 100 and a lid member102. The main body 100 contains the card stack 10 inserted thereto. Inthe main body 100, a spring member 101 that exerts pressure on the cardsof the stack 10 in a card stacking direction is provided. On the bottomsurface of the main body 100, a grooved portion 100A is provided so asto inhibit the peripheral side edges of the cards where the read codesare provided from touching the card case. Furthermore, on the bottomsurface of the lid member 102, a grooved portion 102A is provided so asto inhibit the peripheral side edges of the cards where the read codesare provided from touching the card case. The ends of the groovedportions 100A and 102A are curved so as to prevent the damaging of thecard stack 10 when it contacts the card case.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the card case inthe card stack reader of the present invention. As shown, the card caseof the present embodiment generally includes a main body 100 and a lidmember 102. The internal structure of this card case is the same as thatof the card case of FIG. 14. Apart from the previous embodiment, thecard case of the present embodiment includes an access window 104provided at a position corresponding to the peripheral side portion ofthe card stack 10. The access window 104 extends from the bottom surface100B to the side surface 100C of the main body 100. The grooved portion100A as in the previous embodiment is not provided in the card case ofthe present embodiment.

The read code 20 provided at the peripheral side edge 13 of each card ofthe card stack 10 is exposed at the access window 104. According to thepresent embodiment, the card case containing the card stack 10 isinserted to the card holder of FIG. 13, so that the image reading of theread code 20 from the card stack 10 can be performed.

FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C shows a third embodiment of the cardcase in the card stack reader of the invention. FIG. 16A is a frontcross-sectional view of the card case of the present embodiment. FIG.16B is a front cross-sectional view of a main body 110 of the card caseof the present embodiment. FIG. 16C is a top view of the card case ofthe present embodiment. The card case of the present embodimentgenerally includes a main body 110 and a lid member 112. The main body110 contains the card stack 10 inserted thereto. In the main body 110, aspring member 114 that exerts pressure on the cards of the stack 10 in acard stacking direction is provided. The lid member 112 is integrallyconnected to the main body 100, and the lid member 112 covers an exposedportion of the card stack that is not contained in the main body 100.According to the present embodiment, with the lid member 112 beingremoved, the card case containing the card stack 10 is inserted to thecard holder of FIG. 13, so that the image reading of the read code 20from the card stack 10 can be performed.

FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C show a second embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the invention. FIG. 17A is a top view of thecard for explaining the card manufacturing method of the presentembodiment. FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the card forexplaining the card manufacturing method of the present embodiment. FIG.17C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the card for explaining thecard manufacturing method of the present embodiment.

By using a screen printing method or an offset printing method, the readcode 20 including a set of bars is printed to the surface of the card 12shown in FIG. 17A such that the read code 20 crosses a cut-off line 120.The printing of the read code 20 is performed such that the ink deeplypenetrates the card 12. After the card 12 is cut along the cut-off line120 as shown in FIG. 17B, the area of the read code 20 that remains inthe card 12 can be increased. In the present embodiment, a fluorescentink is used to print the read code 20 to the card 12. According to thepresent embodiment, if the area of the read code 20 is small, the imagereading of the read code 20 from the card can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 17C, a normal printing surface 121 is formed on theread code 20 printed to the card. The read code 20 on the card 12 isconcealed by the printing surface 121. The illegal duplication of theread code 20 of the card is prevented. The read code 20 is printed tothe card 12 with a fluorescent ink that generates an infrared or visiblelight ray by irradiation of an excited UV light, and a graphic patternis printed to the card with an ink that is transparent under an infraredor visible light. According to the present embodiment, if the printedread code 20 and the printed graphic pattern coexist on the card 12 atthe same position, the image reading of the read code 20 is notsignificantly affected by the printed graphic pattern.

FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B and FIG. 18C show a third embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the invention. FIG. 18A is a top view of thecard before printing. FIG. 18B is a top view of the card after theprinting. FIG. 18C is a side view of the card after the printing forexplaining the third embodiment of the card manufacturing method of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B, by using a convexprinting board 130, the read code 20 is printed to the peripheral sideedge 12 of the card 12. A graphic pattern is already printed to thesurface of the card 12.

As shown in FIG. 18C, the card stack 10 is formed with a plurality ofthe cards 12, and the four sides of the card stack 10 are arranged in analigned condition. The same read code 20 is printed to the peripheralside edges of the cards 12 in the stack 10 simultaneously. Theefficiency of the card manufacturing is increased. If the printing ofthe read code 20 is performed such that the ink deeply penetrates thecard 12, the wear resistance of the read code 20 is increased. If atransparent varnish is applied to the peripheral side edge of the cardafter the printing of the read code 20 is performed, the wear resistanceand water resistance of the read code 20 is increased.

FIG. 19A is a side view of the card for explaining a fourth embodimentof the card manufacturing method of the invention. FIG. 19B is across-sectional side view of the card for explaining the fourthembodiment of the card manufacturing method of the invention. As shownin FIG. 19A, by using an ink-jet printer 140, the read code 20 isprinted to the peripheral side edge of the card 12. A graphic pattern isalready printed to the surface of the card 12.

Using the ink-jet printer 140 for the printing of the read code 20 isadvantageous in that an ink having a viscosity lower than the viscosityof a normal printing ink can be used. As shown in FIG. 19B, the ink candeeply penetrate the side of the card 12. If the amount of pigment inthe ink is increased, the read code 20 is protected against surfaceflaws or wearing.

The use of the ink-jet printer 140 is advantageous in that the ink isprinted directly to the side of the card, which increases the stabilityof the printed read code even if the surface irregularities remain onthe cut surface of the card 12.

Although it is necessary to print the read code 20 of different codedata to the cards 12 of different kinds in the normal printing, the useof the ink-jet printer 140 is advantageous in that the code data bywhich the ink-jet printer 140 prints the read code 20 can be managed bya computer and modifications of the code data may be made.

FIG. 20 shows a variation of the fourth embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the invention. In the present embodiment, animage sensor 142 generates an image signal from the graphic pattern ofthe surface of the card 12, and the image signal is sent to a computer144. The computer 144 recognizes an image of the graphic pattern of thecard 12 from the received image signal, and generates code data based onthe recognized image. The computer 144 transmits a print command to theink-jet printer 140 so that the ink-jet printer 140 prints the read code20 to the peripheral side edge of the card 12 in accordance with thecode data. The printing of the read code 20 in accordance with thegraphic pattern of the card 12 can be performed accurately.

FIG. 21 shows a fourth embodiment of the card manufacturing method ofthe present invention. By making use of the resolution (about 0.1 mm orless) of an ink-jet printer, the read code is printed to a centralposition of the peripheral side edge of the card 12 in the direction ofthe thickness (e.g., 0.3 mm) thereof. As indicated in FIG. 21 (A), theread codes of the cards 12 in the stack 10 are arrayed apart from eachother in the card stacking direction, and the image reading of the codesof the cards 12 can be accurately performed with no read error.

As indicated in FIG. 21 (B), the portions (indicated by the wigglylines) of the peripheral side edge of the card 12 are likely to bedamaged or stained. In the present embodiment, the read code is notprinted to these portions. Hence, the read code, which is printed to thecentral position of the peripheral side edge of the card 12, is freefrom damages or stain.

As indicated in FIG. 21 (C), the directions of the fabrics extending onthe paper of the card are indicated by the dotted lines. If the inkdeeply penetrates the card, the degree of penetration of the ink in thedirection Y is smaller than the degree of penetration of the ink in thedirection X. The accuracy of the printing of the read code is increased,and the wear resistance of the read code is increased.

As indicated in FIG. 21 (D), black dots 150 and 151 (carbon) that absorbor cut off a reflection light generated from the read code 20 (thefluorescent ink) of the card are printed to the upper and lowerperipheral edges of the peripheral side edge 14 of the card 12simultaneously with the printing of a graphic pattern to the card 12.The read code 20 is printed to the peripheral side edge 14 of the card12 between the black dots 150 and 151. The accuracy of the image readingof the code 20 from the card 12 is increased.

Next, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the invention. In the present embodiment, papercontaining a fluorescent pigment is used as the material of the card,and the read code 20 is printed to the card with an ink (the pigment iscarbon) that cuts off a fluorescent light. The pigment is electricallycharged, and the ink is spayed to the paper by an electromagnetic force.The ink is fixed to the paper by applying a fixing liquid. In analternative manufacturing method, the printing portions of theperipheral side edge of the card are covered with a mask, and the ink issprayed through the mask to the card by using an air brush. Further, inan alternative manufacturing method, a normal paper is used, and theportions other than the printing portions of the peripheral side edge ofthe card are masked with a transparent resin material. The fluorescentink is applied to the entire peripheral side edge of the card, and thefluorescent ink at the masking portions is removed later.

FIG. 22 (A) and FIG. 22 (B) show a sixth embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 22 (A),the read code 20 is printed to the peripheral side edge of the paperpiece 155 with the ink by a silk-screen printing such that the thicknessof the ink is made as large as possible. The paper piece 155 is attachedto the base paper 156. The coating sheets 157 and 158 are attached tothe upper and lower surfaces of the base paper 156 such that the upperand lower surfaces of the read code 20 are concealed by the coatingsheets 157 and 158.

As shown in FIG. 22 (B), according to the above card manufacturingmethod, the area of the read code 20 in the paper piece 155 can beincreased, and the image reading of the read code 20 can be more easilyperformed.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the card for explaining a variation ofthe sixth embodiment of the card manufacturing method of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 23, the read code 20 may be printed to theperipheral side edge of the base paper 156 with the ink by a silk-screenprinting such that the thickness of the ink on the base paper 156 ismade as large as possible. The coating sheet 157 is attached to theupper surface of the base paper 156 such that the upper surface of theread code 20 is concealed by the coating sheet 157.

Examples of the materials of the ink that is used to print the read code20 include not only a fluorescent ink but also a light storage material.The light storage material is a light storage substance that stores thelight energy when it is irradiated with light for a certain period, andemits, after the irradiation of light, the stored light. According tothe present invention, the read code 20 may be recorded to theperipheral side edge of the card with the light storage ink.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining a code recognition processperformed by the card stack reader when reading the read code 20 printedto the card with the light storage ink.

As shown in FIG. 24, at a start of the code recognition process, stepS30 turns the UV lamp 64 (the light source) OFF and turns the imagesensor 60 (the imaging unit) OFF. Step S32 determines whether the cardstack 10 is set in the card stack reader. When the card stack 10 is set,step S34 turns the light source ON so that each card of the card stack10 is irradiated with the UV light for a certain period. In the stepS34, the image sensor 60 remains in the OFF state. Step S36 turns thelight source OFF and turns the image sensor 60 ON. Step S38 performs therecognition of the read code 20 of each card of the card stack 10. Thecode recognition that is essentially the same as that of FIG. 5 isperformed in the step S38. After the step S38 is performed, step S40turns the image sensor 60 OFF. The code recognition process of thisembodiment ends.

In the present embodiment, the period in which the light source isturned ON does not overlap the period in which the image sensor 60 isturned ON Suppose that the consumption current of the light source is600 mA and the consumption current of the image sensor is 500 mA. It isadequate that the consumption current of the entire card stack reader ofthe present embodiment amounts to 600 mA.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a network system to which the card stackreader of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 25, thecard stack reader 160 reads the code from each card of the card stack 10that is set in the card stack reader, and supplies the code informationto an input interface 174 of a game machine 170. The game machine 170generally includes a CPU 171, a program memory (ROM) 172, a data memory(RAM/flash ROM) 173, the input interface 174, a display control unit175, a sound control unit 176, and a communication interface 177.

In addition to the card stack reader 160, an input device 178 isconnected to the input interface 174 of the game machine 170. The inputdevice 178 is, for example, a joy stick or others. The display controlunit 175 outputs an image signal to a monitor 179 so that the image isdisplayed on the monitor 179 in accordance with the image signal. Thesound control unit 176 outputs a sound signal to a speaker 180 so thatthe sound is generated by the speaker 180 in accordance with the soundsignal. The communication interface 177 of the game machine 170 isconnected to a server 190 (server computer) through a network 185. Inaddition to the game machine 170, other game machines 195 are connectedto the server 190 through the network 185.

The game machine 170 uses the card stack reader 160 to receive the readcode 20 of each card of the card stack 10. The game machine 170 checksthat the received code matches with one of read codes of the cardsstored in the game program of the program memory 172, and performs theimage/sound control and function control in accordance with the receivedcode of the card by controlling the monitor 179 and the speaker 180. Asdescribed above, the game machine 160 and the other game machines 195are connected to the server 190 through the network 185, and the playersat remote locations can enjoy playing the card game at the same time.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a pitch of the read code 20. Asshown in FIGS. 26 (A) and (B), the pitch of the read code 10 of apremium card is different from the pitch of the read code 20 of a normalcard. By performing the image reading of the read code at the card stackreader 160, the difference between the premium card and the normal cardcan be detected depending on the different pitches of these cards. Theillegal reproduction of the premium card is prevented.

According to the present invention, by differentiating the upper andlower peripheral edges of the card 12 and the front and back surfaces ofthe card 12, the meaning and function of the card 12 are changed. FIG.27A and FIG. 27B show a relationship the reading of the read code 20 ofthe card 12A and the monitor indication. For example, the card 12A has aread code 20 at the upper peripheral side edge 13 of the card, and has agraphic pattern of a robot character corresponding to the code 20. Thecard stack reader 160 reads the code 20 at the upper peripheral sideedge 13 of the card 12A. An image of the robot character is displayed onthe monitor 179 when the code is read by the card stack reader 160.

FIG. 27C and FIG. 27D show a relationship the reading of the read code20 of the card 12 and the monitor indication. The card 12A has adifferent read code 20 at the lower peripheral side edge 14 of the card,and has a graphic pattern of a girl character corresponding to the code20. The card stack reader 160 reads the code 20 at the lower peripheralside edge 14 of the card 12A. An image of the girl character isdisplayed on the monitor 179 when the code 20 is read by the card stackreader 160.

According to the present invention, by differentiating the combinationsor sequences of a plurality of cards, the meaning and function of thecard 12 are changed. FIG. 28A shows a relationship the reading of theread code 20 of the card 12A and the monitor indication. In the exampleof FIG. 28A, the card 12A has the graphic pattern of a robot character,and the image of the robot character is displayed on the monitor 179.FIG. 28B shows a relationship the reading of the read code 20 of thecard 12B and the monitor indication. In the example of FIG. 28B, thecard 12B has the graphic pattern of a girl character, and the image ofthe girl character is displayed on the monitor 179.

As shown in FIG. 28C, when the cards 12A and 12B in combination are readby the card stack reader 160, the image of a different character isdisplayed on the monitor 179. Further, as shown in FIG. 29, when aplurality of cards 12C through 12K, which carry the names of specialbaseball athletes, are read by the card stack reader 160, the imagecorresponding to the baseball team is displayed on the monitor 179.

According to the present invention, the read code 20 can be configuredto include an advertisement indication. When the advertisementindication is included in the read code 20, an advertisement program foractions of a character image suited to the advertisement is selected forthe execution of an advertisement displaying process.

FIG. 30 shows an advertisement displaying process performed by the CPU171 of the game machine 170. As shown in FIG. 30, at a start of theadvertisement displaying process, the CPU 171 at step S50 reads the datacode of the card read by the card stack reader 160. Step S52 determineswhether the read code of the card includes the advertisement indicationbit that is sets to 1. When the result at the step S52 is affirmative,step S54 creates a character image including the advertisement. Step S56selects the advertisement program for the actions of the character imagesuited to the advertisement. Step S58 selects the advertisement programfor the music and sound suited to the advertisement. After the step S58is performed, the process of FIG. 30 ends. On the other hand, when theresult at the step S52 is negative, step S60 selects the normal programfor the character, the action and the sound including no advertisement.After the step S60 is performed, the process of FIG. 30 ends.

According to the advertisement displaying process of the above-describedembodiment, the advertisement effects of the card game can be increased.

Further, according to the present invention, the game machine mayincludes a storage unit which stores a value of a parameter acquired ina progress of a card game by a character corresponding to the read codeof the card recognized by the card stack reader and a playeridentification number.

FIG. 31 shows one embodiment of the game machine of the inventionincluding a rewritable storage medium 200. As shown in FIG. 31, the gamemachine 170 of the present embodiment is provided with the storagemedium 200 which stores the value of the parameter acquired in theprogress of the card game by the corresponding character. The value ofthe parameter will be also called the experience data. Examples of thestorage medium 200 include an IC memory, an IC card, a magnetic card orthe like. In the storage medium 200, the read code 20 of the card 12 andthe experience data are recorded in a region that is managed by usingthe player identification number.

According to the above-described embodiment of the game machine, theillegal reproduction or renewal of the experience data can be prevented.In the above-described embodiment of FIG. 31, the rewritable storagemedium 200 is connected to the game machine 170. Alternatively, the gamemachine 170 may be connected to the server 190 through the network 185,the server 190 including the storage medium, instead of the storagemedium 200 connected to the game machine 170.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the card for explaining a seventhembodiment of the card manufacturing method of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 32, a disc-like roller 210 carries the ink which is usedto print the read code (corresponding to one bit) to the peripheral sideedge of the cards 12 in the card stack 10. By moving the roller 120 inthe direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 32, the read code isrecorded to the peripheral side edge of each card of the card stack 10.By performing the printing of the read code using the roller 210, it ispossible to make the width of the read codes of the cards in the cardstack 10 uniform.

FIG. 33A is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the card case of thepresent invention when the printing is performed with the roller. FIG.33B is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the card casewhen the printing is performed with the roller. FIG. 33C is a side viewof the fourth embodiment of the card case when the printing is performedwith the roller. As shown, the card case 220 of the present embodimentis a cylindrical member having a rectangular cross-section. Arear-surface opening 221 is provided at the rear surface of the cardcase 220, and the card stack 10 is inserted from the opening 221 to thecard case 220. A front-surface opening 222 is provided at the frontsurface of the card case 220, and stoppers 223 and 224 are provided atthe ends of the front-surface opening 222. One of the four sides of eachcard of the card stack 10 is brought into contact with the stoppers 223and 224. The peripheral side edges of the cards 12 are arranged in analigned condition, and the peripheral side edges of the cards 12 areexposed from the opening 222. A screw 225 is fastened to a pressuremember 226, and when the screw 225 is fastened to push the pressuremember 226 so that the pressure member 220 exerts pressure on the cards12 of the card stack 10 in the card stacking direction. The misalignmentof the cards can be prevented.

FIG. 34 shows a seventh embodiment of the card manufacturing method ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 34, a z-stage 232 is fixed to abase member 230. The z-stage 232 is provided to hold the card case 220that contains the card stack 10. When the read code is printed to eachcard of the card stack 10, the card case 220 is moved relative to theroller 210 in the z axis direction by the z-stage 232. Further, they-stage 234 is provided on the base member 230. When the read code isprinted to each card of the card stack 10, the card case 220 is movedrelative to the roller 210 in the y axis direction by the y-stage 234.Further, a rotary stage 236 is provided on the y-stage 234, and therotary stage 236 is rotated around the shaft 238 fixed to the y-stage234. The shaft 240 is fixed to the opposite end of the y-stage 234, andthe roller 210 is rotatably supported on the shaft 240.

FIG. 35 shows operation of the rotary stage 236 in the seventhembodiment. As shown in FIG. 35, the shaft 241 is provided at a positionapart from the shaft 236 of the rotary stage 236, and one end of aspring 242 is fixed to the shaft 241. The other end of the spring 242 isfixed to shaft 243 which is provided on the y-stage 234. When the rotarystage 236 is rotated to the position (indicated by the solid line inFIG. 35) apart from the card stack 10, the rotary stage 236 pulls thespring 242 and applies the ink to the roller 210. When the rotary stage236 is rotated by the force of the spring 242 to the position (indicatedby the dotted line in FIG. 35) contacting the card stack 10, the roller210 is brought into contact with the peripheral side edge of each cardof the card stack 10 so that the read code is printed to the card withthe ink.

In the present embodiment, the card case 220 which contains the cardstack 10 is attached to the z-stage 232, and the z-stage 232 is moved inthe z-axis direction so that the z-stage 232 is set to the printingposition. After this, the rotary stage 236 is rotated so that the roller210 is brought into contact with the peripheral side edge of each cardof the card stack 10 that is open from the front-surface opening 222 ofthe card case 220. After this, the y-stage 234 is moved in the y-axisdirection so that the read code is printed to the card with the inksupplied by the roller 210 while the roller 210 is rotated.

FIG. 36 shows a variation of the seventh embodiment of the cardmanufacturing method of the invention. As shown in FIG. 36, a pluralityof disc-like rollers 210 a through 210 e are provided and each rollerhas the rotation shaft arranged in the x-axis direction. The rollers 210a through 210 e are arranged at intervals of a given distance in they-axis direction. The respective positions of the rollers 210 a through210 e, shifted in the x-axis direction, correspond to the respectivebits of the read code recorded to the card.

Two rails 245 and 246 are provided above the rollers 210 a through 210 eand they are extending in the y-axis direction. The card case 220 thatcontains the card stack 10 is interposed between the rails 245 and 246and provided on the rollers 210 a through 210 e. In this condition, thecard case 220 is moved in the y-axis direction, and the respective bitsof the read code are printed to the card with the ink by using therollers 210 a through 210 e.

The cards of the card stack 10 are placed in the vertical position, andthe peripheral side edges of the cards are arranged in the alignedcondition by the gravity of the cards. The efficiency of the read codeprinting is increased by the use of the plurality of the rollers.

FIG. 37 shows a fourth embodiment of the card stack reader of theinvention. As shown, the card stack 10 is inserted into the card stackinsertion inlet of the card stack reader 250. In the housing 252 of thecard stack reader 250, a flash lamp 254 is provided. After the cardstack 10 is attached to the card stack reader 250, the flash lamp 254 iscontrolled by the image recognition device 256 so that the peripheralside portion of the card stack 10, where the read code of each card isprovided, is irradiated with the flash light generated by the flash lamp254. In the present embodiment, the ink which is used for printing theread code to each card is the light storage ink. The flash light,generated by the flash lamp 254, is stored into the read code 20 of eachcard of the card stack 10.

The image sensor 258 is provided so as to confront the peripheral sideportion of the card stack 10. The light ray that is generated by theread code as the result of the light storage is incident to the imagesensor 258. Under the control of the image recognition device 256, theimage sensor 258 generates an image signal based on the received lightray from the code of each card of the card stack 10. The image signalindicates the pattern of the code of each card of the card stack 10, andthe image signal is supplied from the image sensor 258 to the imagerecognition device 256. Instead of the flash lamp 254, a strobe bulb maybe provided to generate the flash light.

FIG. 38 shows a first embodiment of an image reading process performedby the image recognition device 256.

As shown in FIG. 38, when the image reading process starts, the imagerecognition device 256 at step S60 charges the flash lamp. Step S62determines whether the charging of the flash lamp is complete. Step S64determines whether the card stack 10 is set in the card insertion inletof the card stack reader 250. Step S66 turns on the flash lamp 254 toemit the flash light to the card stack 10. Step S68 controls the imagesensor 258 to receive the light ray generated by the read code of eachcard of the card stack 10. Step S70 performs the code recognition of thecard stack 10 based on the image signal generated by the image sensor258.

According to the above-described embodiment of the image readingprocess, the power consumption of the light source (the flash lamp) isreduced, and the use of a UV cut filter is not needed, and themanufacture is performed with a reduced cost.

FIG. 39 shows a second embodiment of the image reading process performedby the image recognition device 256.

As shown in FIG. 39, when the image reading process starts, the imagerecognition device 256 at step S80 charges the flash lamp. Step S82determines whether the charging of the flash lamp is complete. Step S84determines whether the card stack 10 is set in the card insertion inletof the card stack reader 250. Step S86 turns on the flash lamp 254 toemit the flash light to the card stack 10. Step S88 controls the imagesensor 258 to receive the light ray generated by the read code of eachcard of the card stack 10. The step S88 is called the first imagereading. Step S90 controls the image sensor 258 such that the imagesensor 258 is set in a waiting condition for a given period. After thestep S90 is performed, step S92 controls the image sensor 258 to receivethe light ray generated by the read code of each card of the card stack10. The step S92 is called the second image reading. Step S94 performsthe code recognition of the card stack 10 based on the image signalgenerated by the image sensor 258.

According to the above-described embodiment of the image readingprocess, the authenticity of the read code can be detected based on theperiod of light storage in the light storage material.

FIG. 40 shows the format of a second embodiment of the read code 20. Inthis figure, the read code includes four data bits D0 to D3 eachindicating a binary value of the read code, edge bits GL and GR,provided at ends of the read code, indicating respective positions of astart and an end of the read code, and a front/back indication bit J,provided at the center of the read code, indicating one of front andback surfaces of the card. Each of these bits has a predetermined widthL1 along the peripheral side edge of the card. A gap, which has a widthequal to L1/2, is provided between the edge bit GL and the data bit D3and between the edge bit GR and the data bit D0. Each of the data bitsD0 to D3 is divided into left and right regions. When the data bit ofconcern indicates the value 0, a reflection light from the right regionof the data bit is generated. When the data bit of concern indicates thevalue 1, a reflection light from the left region of the data bit isgenerated. As for the edge bits GR and GL, a reflection light from boththe right and left regions of each edge bit is generated. As for thefront/back indication bit J, a reflection light from the right region ofthe bit J is generated.

When the read code of the card is read by the image sensor, an edgeportion of the image signal appears at each of respective positions ofthe read code indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 40. The minimum ofthe intervals of the occurrence of the edge in the image signal is equalto L1/2. The width of each bit is corrected such that the intervals ofthe edge occurrence are averaged. By this embodiment, the reading of thecode on each card can be accurately performed. The binary valueindicated by the front/back indication bit J, it is determined whetherthe front surface or the back surface of the card is indicated.

FIG. 41 shows a pattern of the read code 20, the intensities and theabsolute values of the differential. In FIG. 41, (A) indicates thepattern of the read code 20 including the data bits D3, D2, D1, D0 thatare set to (1, 0, 1, 0), (B) indicates the intensities obtained when thecode 20 is read, and (C) indicates the absolute values of thedifferential of the intensities. The positions of the edges of the readcode can be found as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 41 (C). The widthof each bit can be corrected.

The respective values of the data bits D0 to D3 are determined by thedifference between the left-region intensity and the right-regionintensity. Erroneous recognition of the read code is avoided, and theillegal reproduction of the read code is prevented.

FIG. 42 shows a code recognition process performed by the card stackreader of the invention. In the present embodiment, the read code ofFIG. 40 is read through the code recognition process shown in FIG. 42.

In the flowchart of FIG. 42, step S100 performs a noise-cut filterprocess. Suppose that y axis of the read code is the direction in whichthe bits of the read code are arrayed (the lateral direction of FIG.40), and three dots, including the dot of concern and the left and theright dots adjacent to the dot of concern, are selected.

FIG. 43 shows an example of the three dots selected by the noise-cutfilter in the card stack reader of the invention. The number within eachof the rectangles in FIG. 43 indicates the intensity of thecorresponding for the rectangle. The three dots are sorted according tothe intensities thereof, and an intermediate-level dot having the secondlargest intensity among the intensities of the three dots is determined.In the example of FIG. 43, the left dot having the intensity 21 isdetermined as being the intermediate-level dot. The renewal of theintensities of the selected dots is performed based on the intensity ofthe intermediate-level dot as shown in FIG. 44. FIG. 44 shows an exampleof the three dots renewed by the noise-cut filter in the card stackreader of the invention.

In the flowchart of FIG. 42, step S102 performs a spherical aberrationcorrecting filter process. FIG. 45 shows operation of a sphericalaberration correcting filter in the card stack reader of the invention.By this spherical aberration correcting filter process, the sphericalaberration of a read image due to the lens system of the image sensor asshown in FIG. 45 (A) is corrected to that shown in FIG. 45 (B). Supposethat the read image consists of 640×480 dots.

FIG. 46 shows operation of the spherical aberration correcting filter inthe card stack reader of the invention.

As indicated in FIG. 46 (A), in order to transform the coordinates (i,j) of the read image in the original coordinate system into coordinates(x, y) in a new coordinate system having the origin (0, 0) at the centerof the 640×480 dot image, the following calculations are performed.

x=(i−320)+0.5

y=(j−240)+0.5

As indicated in FIG. 46 (B), in order to obtain the distance “d” of thecorrected dot from the center of the image and the rotation angle “a” ofthe corrected dot, the following calculations are performed.

d=(x ₂ +y ₂)^(1/2)

a=arctan(y/x) x≧0

a=arctan(y/x)+π x<0

Further, FIG. 47 shows operation of the spherical aberration correctingfilter in the card stack reader of the invention. As indicated in FIG.47 (A), in order to obtain the source coordinates (xx, yy) correspondingto the coordinates (x, y), the following calculations are performed.First, the angle A is determined from the length “d” of the circular arcof the sphere having the radius “R”.

A=(d/2πR)·2π=d/R

dd=R×cos(A)

xx=dd×cos(A)

yy=dd×sin(A)

As indicated in FIG. 47 (B), in order to transform the sourcecoordinates (xx, yy) into new coordinates (ii, jj) in a new coordinatesystem having the origin (0, 0) at the upper left corner of the image,the following calculations are performed.

ii=(xx+320)−0.5

jj=(yy+240)−0.5

As indicated in FIG. 47 (C), the ratios of the values “VV” of the fourdots (ii_i, jj_i), (ii_i+1, jj_i), (ii_i, jj_i+1) and (ii_i+1, jj_i+1)are determined from the integer portion (ii_i, jj_i) and the fractionalportion (ii_e, jj_e) of the coordinates (ii, jj). Then, the coordinatesV (i, j) of the corrected dot are determined as follows.

V(i, j) = VV(ii_i, jj_i) × (1 − ii_e) × (1 − jj_e) + VV(ii_i + 1, jj_i) × ii_e × (1 − jj_e) + VV(ii_i, jj_i + 1) × (1 − ii_e) × jj_e + VV(ii_i + 1, jj_i + 1) × ii_e) × jj_e

As a result of the above calculations, the image as shown in FIG. 45 (B)is obtained with the image distortion being eliminated.

In the flowchart of FIG. 42, step S102 performs an inclinationcorrecting filter process. FIG. 50 shows the inclination correctingfilter process performed at the step S104 by the card stack reader ofthe invention.

In the flowchart of FIG. 50, step S120 calculates a sum of theintensities of left-side ⅛ to ⅜ image portions and a sum of theintensities of right-side ⅛ to ⅜ image portions as indicated in FIG. 48(A).

After the step S120 is performed, step S122 calculates a sum of thedifferences between the left-side intensities and the right-sideintensities as indicated in FIG. 48 (B). This calculation is repeatedfor a range between −10 dots and +10 dots by shifting the image by onedot. As a result of the above calculations, the histogram of theintensity differences as shown in FIG. 48 (C) is obtained.

After the step S122 is performed, step S124 sets a dot deviation value“Z” by the minimum sum of the intensity differences in the histogram.After the step S124 is performed, step S126 calculates a rotation angle“A” from the width “W” between the left region and the right region andthe dot deviation value “Z” as follows.

A=arctan(Z/W)

After the step S126 is performed, in order to transform the coordinates(i, j) of the read image in the original coordinate system intocoordinates (x, y) in the new coordinate system having the origin (0, 0)at the center of the 640×480 dot image as shown in FIG. 49 (A), stepS128 performs the following calculations.

x=(i−320)+0.5

y=(j−240)+0.5

After the step S128 is performed, in order to obtain the sourcecoordinates (xx, yy) corresponding to the coordinates (x, y) from theangle “A”, step S130 performs the following calculations.

$\begin{pmatrix}{xx} \\{yy}\end{pmatrix} = {\begin{pmatrix}{\cos (A)} & {- {\sin (A)}} \\{\sin (A)} & {\cos (A)}\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}x \\y\end{pmatrix}}$

After the step S130 is performed, in order to transform the sourcecoordinates (xx, yy) into new coordinates (ii, jj) in a new coordinatesystem having the origin (0, 0) at the upper left corner of the image asshown in FIG. 49 (B), step S132 performs the following calculations.

ii=(xx+320)−0.5

jj=(yy+240)−0.5

After the step S132 is performed, the ratios of the values “VV” of thefour dots (ii_i, jj_i), (ii_i+1, jj_i), (ii_i, jj_i+1) and (ii_i+1,jj_i+1) are determined from the integer portion (ii_i, jj_i) and thefractional portion (ii_e, jj_e) of the coordinates (ii, jj) as shown inFIG. 49 (C). Step S134 determines the coordinates V (i, j) of thecorrected dot as follows.

V(i, j) = VV(ii_i, jj_i) × (1 − ii_e) × (1 − jj_e) + VV(ii_i + 1, jj_i) × ii_e × (1 − jj_e) + VV(ii_i, jj_i + 1) × (1 − ii_e) × jj_e + VV(ii_i + 1, jj_i + 1) × ii_e) × jj_e

As a result of the above calculations, the corrected image is obtainedwith the inclination being eliminated.

In the flowchart of FIG. 42, step S106 performs an edge intensifyingfilter process (the Laplacian filter). In this process, three dots,including the dot of concern, and the up dot and the down dot adjacentto the dot of concern (or the center dot), are selected from the imagebeing processed. The difference in intensity between the center dot andthe up dot and the difference in intensity between the center dot andthe down dot are calculated, and the intensity of the center dot isrenewed by subtracting the two differences from the intensity of thecenter dot. For example, when the intensities of the up dot, the centerdot and the down dot are 131, 90 and 111, the intensity of the centerdot is renewed to 28 (=90−41−21).

In the flowchart of FIG. 42, step S108 performs a card separationprocess FIG. 51 and FIG. 52 show the card separation process performedat the step S142 by the card stack reader of the invention.

In the flowchart of FIG. 51, step S140 computes a total sum D (j) ofintensity differences of respective two dots (which are adjacent in xaxis direction) from the intensities V (i, j) of the respectivecoordinates as in the following formula. Suppose that “i” corresponds tothe x axis direction and “j” corresponds to the y axis direction.

${D(j)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{{X\_ SIZE} - 1}\; {{{V( {i,j} )} - {V( {{i - 1},j} )}}}}$

After the step S140 is performed, step S142 determines whether the valueof D (j) is less than a given value (=100). When the result at the stepS142 is affirmative, step S144 sets the line “j” blank.

When the result at step S142 is negative or after the step S144 isperformed, step S146 determines whether the conditions D(j−1)<D(j)<D(j+1) are met. When the result at the step S146 isaffirmative, step S148 sets the line “j” blank.

When the result at step S146 is negative or after the step S148 isperformed, step S150 obtains, from the blank line, the start-pointcoordinate y_s(n), the end-point coordinate y_e(n) of each card, and thenumber “N” of the cards.

After the step S150 is performed, step S152 determines whether thedifference between the coordinates y_s(n) and y_e(n) is larger than apredetermined card thickness “ATSUSA” multiplied by 1.5. When the resultat the step S152 is affirmative, the control is transferred to step S154in FIG. 52. Otherwise, the control is transferred to step S156 in FIG.52.

When the result at the step S152 is affirmative, no separation betweenthe cards is found as shown in FIG. 53. At this time, step S154 computesa parameter G(j) as in the following formula in order to find aseparation in the lines y_s(n)+CARD_ATSUSA/2 to y_s( )+CARD_ATSUSA/2+4.The separation is determined by the line “j” of the linesy_s(n)+CARD_ATSUSA/2 to y_s( )+CARD_ATSUSA/2+4 where the parameter G(j)is the maximum.

${G(j)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 0}^{{X\_ SIZE} - 1}{{{V( {i,{j - 1}} )} - {V( {i,{j + 1}} )}}}}$

After the step S154 is performed, step S156 determines whether theconditions: y_e(n)−y_s(n)<ATSUSA; the line y_s(n)−1 is blank; and theline y_s(n)−2 is blank are met. When the result at the step S156 isaffirmative, step S158 cancels the setting of the line y_s(n)−1 to blankin the previous step. This is because the thickness of the card stackwith the previously set blank line is excessively small.

On the other hand, when the result at the step S156 is negative, stepS160 determines whether the condition: y_s(n)−y_e(n+1)≦ATSUSA is met.Only when the condition of the step S160 is met, step S162 cancels thesetting of the lines y_s(n)+1 to y_e(n)−1 to black in the previous step,and the process ends. When the condition of the step S160 is not met,the process immediately ends and the step S162 is not performed.

In the flowchart of FIG. 42, step S110 performs a y-coordinatecomputation process. By this calculation, the start-point and end-pointy coordinates of the read code are determined based on the separation ofthe cards.

In the flowchart of FIG. 42, step S112 performs an x-coordinatecomputation process. FIG. 54 shows the x-coordinate computation processperformed at the step S112 by the card stack reader of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 54, step S170 calculates the average intensity W(i) of theintensities of the respective x coordinates of the read code for onecard as follows.

${W(j)} = \frac{\sum\limits_{j = {{y\_ s}{(n)}}}^{{y\_ e}{(n)}}{V( {i,j} )}}{{{y\_ e}(n)} - {{y\_ s}(n)}}$

Step S172 calculates the difference G(i) between the average intensityof a certain x coordinate and the intensity of the next x coordinate asin the following formula. The changing point of the read code intensityis extracted.

G(i)=W(i+1)−W(i)

As indicated in FIG. 55 (A), step S174 calculates the total sum of theproducts Fa(i, k)×G(i) as in the following formula. The position H wherethe value of the total sum Q(h) is the maximum is added to the referencewidth, and the width of the read code is determined by the referencewidth+H.

${Q(h)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 0}^{{x\_ SIZE} - 1}{{{Fa}( {i,h} )} \times {G(i)}}}$

As indicated in FIG. 55 (B), step S176 calculates the total sum R(k) ofthe products Fb(i, k)×G(i) as in the following formula. The position “k”where the value of the total sum R(k) is the maximum is set to thestart-point x coordinate x_s(n) of the read code. The end-point xcoordinate x_e(n) of the read code is determined from the start-point xcoordinate x_s(n) and the reference width+H.

${R(k)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 0}^{{x\_ SIZE} - 1}{{{Fb}( {i,k} )} \times {G(i)}}}$

As a result of the above calculations, the x coordinate of the card isobtained.

After the step S112 is performed, step S114 performs the determinationof the data bits D0 to D3 and the front/back indication bit J of theread code. At this step, it is first determined which of the frontsurface and the back surface of the card is indicated by the front/backindication bit J. When the front surface of the card is indicated by thefront/back indication bit J and the right region of each of the databits is set to the high-level intensity as shown in FIG. 56 (A), thevalue of that data bit is determined as being equal to 0. When the frontsurface of the card is indicated by the front/back indication bit J andthe left region of each of the data bits is set to the high-levelintensity as shown in FIG. 56 (B), the value of that data bit isdetermined as being equal to 0. In a case in which the back surface ofthe card is indicated by the front/back indication bit J, thedetermination that is reverse to the above is performed.

In the foregoing descriptions, the image sensor 38 corresponds to theimaging unit in the claims, the image recognition device 40 correspondsto the code recognition unit, the UV lamps 36 and 68 correspond to thelight irradiation unit, the card holder in FIG. 11 corresponds to thefirst card holder, the switch 77 corresponds to the first switch unit,the switch 76 corresponds to the second switch unit, the switch 80corresponds to the third switch unit, the secondary battery 79corresponds to the charging/discharging unit, the card holder in FIG. 13corresponds to the second card holder, the step S52 corresponds to theadvertisement indication detecting means, the steps S54 and S56correspond to the advertisement displaying means, the flash lamp 254corresponds to the flash light irradiation unit, and the step S94corresponds to the image comparison unit.

As described in the foregoing, according to the present invention, theimaging unit reads an image from the peripheral side portion of thestack of cards, each card having a read code along the peripheral sideedge thereof, the read code identifying the card, and the coderecognizing unit recognizes the read code of each card from the imageread by the imaging unit. It is possible for the card stack reader ofthe present invention to read the code on the card stack as it is. Thecards are free from damages and stain, and the reading time is short.

According to the present invention, the read code is printed on asurface of each card at the peripheral side edge thereof. The card stackreader reads the code from a side portion of the card.

According to the present invention, the read code is recorded to eachcard with the fluorescent material, and the card stack reader includesthe light irradiation unit which emits an excited light to theperipheral side edge of each card, such that a fluorescent light isgenerated from the peripheral side edge of the card. The intensity ofthe reflection light is increased, and it is possible to easily read thecode from the card. The read code on the card is not so perceptibleunder a visible light.

According to the present invention, the card stack reader includes thefirst filter which cuts off an excited light from the light irradiationunit. The entering of a reflected excited light into the imaging unit isprevented. The reduction of the intensity difference in the image signalis prevented.

According to the present invention, the card stack reader includes thesecond filter which cuts off a blue light from the light irradiationunit. When the material of the card includes a fluorescent substance,the entering of the blue light generated by the fluorescent substanceinto the imaging unit is prevented, and the reduction of the intensitydifference in the image signal is prevented.

According to the present invention, the read code is recorded to thecard with a fluorescent material that is colorless under a visiblelight. The read code on the card is not so perceptible under a visiblelight, and the illegal duplication of the read code is prevented.

According to the present invention, the read code is recorded to thecard with a plurality of fluorescent materials that generate differentcolor light rays by irradiation with an excited light. The multi-leveldigitization of the bits of the read code is allowed.

According to the present invention, the read code is recorded to thecard with a fluorescent material that generates an infrared light ray byirradiation with an excited light. The read code on the card is not soperceptible under a visible light, and the illegal duplication of theread code is prevented.

According to the present invention, the read code is recorded to thecard with a fluorescent material that generates a light ray, having awavelength longer than a wavelength of a blue light, by irradiation withan excited light. By using the first and second filters, the undesiredinfluences of the reflected excited light or the blue light are reduced.

According to the present invention, the read code recorded to the cardincludes guide bits. The position of the read code in the image signalfor each card can be easily determined by using the guide bits.

According to the present invention, the card stack reader comprises adichroic mirror which reflects the excited light emitted by the lightirradiation unit such that an optical axis of the excited light and anoptical axis of the imaging unit match with each other and are set to beperpendicular to the peripheral side edge of each card in the stack. Theundesired influences due to irregularities of the position of theperipheral side portion of the card stack can be reduced, and the codeon each card can be accurately read.

According to the present invention, the card stack reader comprises afirst card holder which holds the stack of cards in an inclinedcondition such that the peripheral side edges of the cards are obliquelystacked, and the imaging unit is arranged to straightly confront theobliquely stacked peripheral side edges of the cards. The code on eachcard can be accurately read.

According to the present invention, the card stack reader comprises thefirst switch unit which switches on and off the supply of power of anexternal power source to one of the light irradiation unit and theimaging unit, the charging/discharging unit which performs charging anddischarging of a supplied power, the second switch unit which switcheson and off the supply of power of the external power source to thecharging/discharging unit; and the third switch unit which switches onand off the supply of a current discharged by the charging/dischargingunit to the other of the light irradiation unit and the imaging unit.The card stack reader can operate well even when the power consumptionis higher than the power supplied from the external power source.

According to the present invention, the card stack reader comprises thesecond card holder which holds the stack of cards by arranging theperipheral side edges of the cards in an aligned condition and exertspressure on the peripheral side edges of the cards. The code on eachcard can be accurately read even when the card has a curling surface.

According to the present invention, the second card holder cuts off anexternal light entering the imaging unit which is arranged to straightlyconfront the peripheral side edges of the cards in the stack. Theentering of an external light into the imaging unit is prevented, andthe undesired influences on the image reading are reduced.

According to the present invention, the card case includes a groovedportion that inhibits the peripheral side edges of the cards fromtouching the card case. The read code on each card is free from damagesand stain.

According to the present invention, the card case includes a springmember which exerts pressure on the cards of the stack in the cardstacking direction. The misalignment of the cards can be prevented.

According to the present invention, the card case includes an accesswindow provided at the position corresponding to the peripheral sideportion of the stack of cards contained in the card case. The code oneach card can be easily read by the card stack reader if the card casecontaining the card stack is set to the reader.

According to the present invention, the card case comprises a main bodyin which a spring member, exerting pressure on the cards of the stack ina card stacking direction, is provided, and a lid member which isintegrally connected to the main body, the lid member covering anexposed portion of the stack of cards that is not contained in the mainbody. The code on each card can be easily read by the card stack readerif the main body of the card case containing the card stack is set tothe reader and the lid member is removed.

According to the present invention, the read code is printed to aportion of the card adjacent to a peripheral side edge of the card, andthe card is cut along a straight line passing through the code-printedportion to form the peripheral side edge of the card where the read codeis printed. The read code can be easily formed at the peripheral sideedge of the card.

According to the present invention, the read code is printed to the cardwith a fluorescent ink which generates an infrared light or a visiblelight, and a card graphic pattern is printed over the read code on thecard with an ink that is transparent under an infrared light or avisible light. The read code is not so perceptible in the presence ofthe card graphic pattern, and the illegal duplication of the read codeis prevented.

According to the present invention, the read code is directly printed onthe peripheral side edge of the card. The efficiency of the manufactureof the cards can be increased.

According to the present invention, the same read code is printed to theperipheral side edge of each of the cards in the stack. The efficiencyof the manufacture of the cards can be increased.

According to the present invention, the read code is directly printed tothe peripheral side edge of the card by spraying of an ink to theperipheral side edge of the card. The stability of the read code on eachcard can be increased.

According to the present invention, a graphic pattern is read from asurface of the card, and a read code corresponding to the read graphicpattern is printed to the card by spraying of an ink to the card. Theread code can be accurately printed to the card in the presence of thegraphic pattern.

According to according to the present invention, a printing surface isformed on a front surface and a back surface of the card by using an inkthat cuts off or absorbs an infrared light or a visible light, andwherein the read code is printed to the center of the peripheral sideedge of the card with a fluorescent ink that generates an infrared lightor a visible light. The read codes on the cards can be separately andreliably detected by the card stack reader.

According to the present invention, the card is formed with a sourcematerial containing a fluorescent material that generates an infraredlight or a visible light, and the read code is directly printed to theperipheral side edge of the card with an ink that cuts off or absorbs aninfrared light or a visible light. The read code can be printed to thecards using the ink that cuts off or absorbs an infrared light or avisible light.

According to the present invention, a plurality of different read codesare printed to the peripheral side edge of the card. It is possible thatthe read code of a single card contains a plurality of different itemsof information.

According to the present invention, the read code at the peripheral sideedge of the card recognized by the card stack reader from a frontsurface of the card is different from the read code recognized by thecard stack reader from a back surface of the card. The illegalduplication of the read code is prevented.

According to the present invention, the read code at the peripheral sideedge of the card has a data pitch for encoding that varies depending ona kind of the card. The illegal duplication of the read code isprevented.

According to the present invention, in the game machine, a character ora function corresponding to a read code of each card recognized by thecard stack reader is allocated to a card game. The variety of the cardgame is increased.

According to the present invention, the game machine comprises a storageunit which stores a value of a parameter acquired in a progress of acard game by a character corresponding to the read code of the cardrecognized by the card stack reader and a player identification number.By using the same cards, different players can enjoy playing the cardgame with the increased variety of the card game.

According to the present invention, in the game machine, a character ora function corresponding to combinations of a plurality of read codes ofthe cards in the stack recognized by the card stack reader is allocatedto a card game. The variety of the card game is increased.

According to the present invention, the game machine is connected to aserver via a network, and other game machines are connected to theserver. Players at remote locations can enjoy playing the card game atthe same time.

According to the present invention, the read code is recorded to theperipheral side edge of each card with a light storage material. It ispossible that the irradiation of the code and the imaging of the codeoccur at different times.

According to the present invention, the computer-readable storage mediumcomprises an advertisement indication detecting unit which detectswhether the read code at the peripheral side edge of each card read bythe card stack reader includes an advertisement indication, and anadvertisement displaying unit which displays an advertisement in a gamescreen when the presence of the advertisement indication is detected.The advertisement effects of the card game can be increased.

According to the present invention, the same read code is printed to theperipheral side edge of each of the cards in the stack by using aroller. The read code can be printed to each card with good stabilityeven when the peripheral side edge of the card has surfaceirregularities.

According to the present invention, the card case comprises a stopperwhich arranges the peripheral side edges of the cards in the stack in aflattened condition. The read code can be printed to each card with goodstability even when the peripheral side edge of the card has surfaceirregularities.

According to the present invention, a read code including a plurality ofbits is printed to the peripheral side edge of each of the cards in thestack by using a plurality of rollers. The efficiency of printing of theread code to the cards is increased.

According to the present invention, the card stack reader comprises aflash light irradiation unit which emits a flash light to the peripheralside edge of each card so that the emitted light is stored into thelight storage material of the read code. The power consumption of thelight source is reduced, and the use of a UV cut filter is not needed,and the manufacture is performed with a reduced cost.

According to the present invention, the imaging unit reads an image fromthe peripheral side portion of the stack of cards at a plurality oftimes at intervals of a given period after the flash light is emitted bythe flash light irradiation unit, and the card stack reader comprises animage comparison unit which compares the images read by the imaging unitat the plurality of times. The authenticity of the read code can bedetected based on the period of light storage in the light storagematerial.

According to the present invention, the read code includes: data bitseach indicating a binary value of the read code; a front/back indicationbit indicating one of front and back surfaces of the card; and edge bitsindicating respective positions of a start and an end of the read code.Erroneous recognition of the read code is prevented, and thedetermination as to the front/back surface of the card can be performed.

According to the present invention, each of the data bits, thefront/back indication bit and the edge bits has a predetermined widthalong the peripheral side edge of the card. The code on each card can beaccurately read by the card stack reader.

1.-44. (canceled)
 45. A game apparatus comprising: a game programexecution means which executes a game program; an input means, operableby a player, and a card data detection means which is arranged to mounta set of cards for a single scan, the set of cards being selected by theplayer from a variety of cards which include cards representing gamecharacters as well as functions related to the game characters andprovided with code patterns indicative of the game characters or thefunctions related to the game characters, wherein said card datadetection means detects, in a single scan, a set of data from said cardsselectively mounted to the card data detection means, said detected datacontaining data indicative of a game character selected by the playerand of a function related to the game character, wherein said gameprogram execution means executes the game program to perform a game withthe game character selected by the player and the function related tothe game character determined in response to said data detected fromsaid set of cards mounted to the game apparatus and in response tosignals from said input means.
 46. A game apparatus comprising: a gameprogram execution means which executes a game program; an input means,operable by a player, and card data detection means which is arranged tomount a set of cards for a single scan, the set of cards being selectedby the player from a variety of cards related to the game characters andprovided with code patterns related to the game characters, wherein saidcard data detection means detects, in a single scan, a set of data fromsaid cards selectively mounted to the card data detection means, saiddetected data containing data related to the game character selected bythe player, wherein said game program execution means executes the gameprogram to perform a game with the game character selected by the playerin response to said data detected from the set of cards mounted to thegame apparatus and in response to signals from said input means.